Packaging device for diode laser pumped assembly

Abstract

A package for the components of a laser device that includes an elongated laser medium, a pump source adjacent to one side of the laser medium and laser mirrors positioned in alignment with the optical axis of the laser medium, the package including a planar heat conducting structure including a base member with a cavity formed on one side and a platform at an intermediate location for supporting the laser elements, and a closure member for closing the cavity around the laser elements, and a multi-conductor connection cable mounted in the package having connections to the pump source and to a source of electrical energy.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A package for a laser device, being arranged in a stack of similar packages and attached to a thermo-electric cooler comprising a base member of relatively planar heat conducting construction having an outer surface extending between spaced and opposed sides and end surfaces, an inner surface portion opposed to said outer surface and having a platform portion and a container extending therearound, said platform being formed thereon at a location intermediate the sides and end surfaces on which are positioned the elements of a laser including a laser medium and a laser pump source, laser mirrors including mountings therefor mounted on the base member and optically aligned with the laser medium, the laser medium including an elongated member mounted on said platform portion and having an optical axis intersecting the end surfaces at intermediate locations therealong, the pump source including an array of laser diodes positioned on the platform adjacent to one side of the laser medium, such that said diodes pump laser energy into the laser medium thereby causing said laser medium to lase, electrical connection means mounted in the base member including a strip line connector having a plurality of conductors for connection at corresponding ends to selected ones of said laser diodes in said array and to a source of energy for applying energy from said source to said laser diodes to cause them to lase, a closure member having a surface in abutting relation to said inner surface of the base member to enclose a space around the elements of the laser, and means for attaching said closure member to said base member thereby providing a compact, rugged heat conducting package. 
     
     
       2. The package of claim 1 including a window through the base member adjacent one end surface in alignment with the optical axis of the laser medium. 
     
     
       3. The package of claim 1 including a second array of laser diodes mounted on the platform portion in opposed relation to the laser pump source. 
     
     
       4. The package of claim 3 including second electrical connection means mounted in base member for connecting the energy source to the second array of laser diodes. 
     
     
       5. A package for a laser device comprising: a closed container of heat conductive material having mating first and second portions defining a substantially enclosed container, said container including an intermediate platform on the first container portion,   an elongated laser medium mounted on the platform in position having an optical axis intersecting opposite sides of the container,   a pump source including multi-lead connector means mounted on the first container portion for connecting said pump source to a source of electric energy, said pump source being positioned adjacent to one side of said laser medium thereby causing said laser medium to lase,   and mirror means including mirror mounting means mounted in the container in alignment with the optical axis of the laser medium thereby providing a compact, rugged, heat conducting package.   
     
     
       6. The laser device of claim 5 wherein the pump source is an array of laser diodes. 
     
     
       7. The laser device of claim 6 wherein said multi-lead connector means has leads connected to the respective arrays of laser diodes. 
     
     
       8. The laser device of claim 7 wherein the connector means is a multi conductor strip line. 
     
     
       9. The laser device of the claim 5 wherein at least one portion of the container is a relatively flat metal member. 
     
     
       10. The laser device of claim 5 including a window through one side of the container in alignment with the optical axis of the laser medium. 
     
     
       11. The container of claim 5 wherein a second pump source is located on the platform adjacent the opposite side of the laser medium from the pump source. 
     
     
       12. The container of claim 11 including a second electrical connector means mounted in the first container portion for connecting the second pump source to an external source of electrical energy. 
     
     
       13. The container of claim 11 wherein the laser medium is formed by two adjacent elongated crystals with a reflective surface positioned therebetween. 
     
     
       14. The container of claim 5 wherein the elongated laser medium is constructed of a material selected from the group that includes ND/YAG crystal, ND Glass, and TLF. 
     
     
       15. The container of claim 5 including a thermoelectric cooler having spaced opposite surfaces one of which is in contact with one of the opposite surfaces of the first container portion. 
     
     
       16. The container of claim 7 including a plurality of similar container arranged in a stacked relationship, and means for connecting the stacked containers together. 
     
     
       17. A package for the elements of a laser device, said elements including: an elongated laser medium, a pump source adjacent to one side of the laser medium and laser mirrors positioned in alignment with the optical axis of the laser medium, the package comprising: a planar heat conducting structure including a base member with a container formed on one side and a platform at an intermediate location for supporting said laser elements, a closure member for closing the container around said laser elements, and a multi-conductor connection cable mounted in the package having connections to the pump source and to a source of electrical energy.